Ecclesiasticus 4

VULGATA	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Fili, eleemosynam pauperis ne defraudes, et oculos tuos ne transvertas a paupere.	1 My son, rob not the poor man of his livelihood; force not the eyes of the needy to turn away.
2 Animam esurientem ne despexeris, et non exasperes pauperem in inopia sua.	2 A hungry man grieve not, a needy man anger not;
3 Cor inopis ne afflixeris, et non protrahas datum angustianti.	3 Do not exasperate the downtrodden; delay not to give to the needy.
4 Rogationem contribulati ne abjicias, et non avertas faciem tuam ab egeno.	4 A beggar in distress do not reject; avert not your face from the poor.
5 Ab inope ne avertas oculos tuos propter iram : et non relinquas quærentibus tibi retro maledicere.	5 From the needy turn not your eyes, give no man reason to curse you;
6 Maledicentis enim tibi in amaritudine animæ, exaudietur deprecatio illius : exaudiet autem eum qui fecit illum.	6 For if in the bitterness of his soul he curse you, his Creator will hear his prayer.
7 Congregationi pauperum affabilem te facito : et presbytero humilia animam tuam, et magnato humilia caput tuum.	7 Endear yourself to the assembly; before a ruler bow your head.
8 Declina pauperi sine tristitia aurem tuam, et redde debitum tuum, et responde illi pacifica in mansuetudine.	8 Give a hearing to the poor man, and return his greeting with courtesy;
9 Libera eum qui injuriam patitur de manu superbi, et non acide feras in anima tua.	9 Deliver the oppressed from the hand of the oppressor; let not justice be repugnant to you.
10 In judicando esto pupillis misericors ut pater, et pro viro matri illorum :	10 To the fatherless be as a father, and help their mother as a husband would; Thus will you be like a son to the Most High, and he will be more tender to you than a mother.
11 et eris tu velut filius Altissimi obediens, et miserebitur tui magis quam mater.	11 Wisdom instructs her children and admonishes those who seek her.
12 Sapientia filiis suis vitam inspirat : et suscipit inquirentes se, et præibit in via justitiæ.	12 He who loves her loves life; those who seek her out win her favor.
13 Et qui illam diligit, diligit vitam, et qui vigilaverint ad illam complectentur placorem ejus.	13 He who holds her fast inherits glory; wherever he dwells, the LORD bestows blessings.
14 Qui tenuerint illam, vitam hæreditabunt : et quo introibit benedicet Deus.	14 Those who serve her serve the Holy One; those who love her the LORD loves.
15 Qui serviunt ei obsequentes erunt sancto : et eos qui diligunt illam, diligit Deus.	15 He who obeys her judges nations; he who hearkens to her dwells in her inmost chambers.
16 Qui audit illam judicabit gentes : et qui intuetur illam permanebit confidens.	16 If one trusts her, he will possess her; his descendants too will inherit her.
17 Si crediderit ei, hæreditabit illam, et erunt in confirmatione creaturæ illius :	17 She walks with him as a stranger, and at first she puts him to the test; Fear and dread she brings upon him and tries him with her discipline; With her precepts she puts him to the proof, until his heart is fully with her.
18 quoniam in tentatione ambulat cum eo, et in primis eligit eum.	18 Then she comes back to bring him happiness and reveal her secrets to him.
19 Timorem, et metum, et probationem inducet super illum : et cruciabit illum in tribulatione doctrinæ suæ, donec tentet eum in cogitationibus suis, et credat animæ illius.	19 But if he fails her, she will abandon him and deliver him into the hands of despoilers.
20 Et firmabit illum, et iter adducet directum ad illum, et lætificabit illum :	20 Use your time well; guard yourself from evil, and bring upon yourself no shame.
21 et denudabit absconsa sua illi, et thesaurizabit super illum scientiam et intellectum justitiæ.	21 There is a sense of shame laden with guilt, and a shame that merits honor and respect.
22 Si autem oberraverit, derelinquet eum, et tradet eum in manus inimici sui.	22 Show no favoritism to your own discredit; let no one intimidate you to your own downfall.
23 Fili, conserva tempus, et devita a malo.	23 Refrain not from speaking at the proper time, and hide not away your wisdom;
24 Pro anima tua ne confundaris dicere verum :	24 For it is through speech that wisdom becomes known, and knowledge through the tongue's rejoinder.
25 est enim confusio adducens peccatum, et est confusio adducens gloriam et gratiam.	25 Never gainsay the truth, and struggle not against the rushing stream.
26 Ne accipias faciem adversus faciem tuam, nec adversus animam tuam mendacium.	26 Be not ashamed to acknowledge your guilt, but of your ignorance rather be ashamed.
27 Ne reverearis proximum tuum in casu suo,	27 Do not abase yourself before an impious man, nor refuse to do so before rulers.
28 nec retineas verbum in tempore salutis. Non abscondas sapientiam tuam in decore suo :	28 Even to the death fight for truth, and the LORD your God will battle for you.
29 in lingua enim sapientia dignoscitur : et sensus, et scientia, et doctrina in verbo sensati, et firmamentum in operibus justitiæ.	29 Be not surly in your speech, nor lazy and slack in your deeds.
30 Non contradicas verbo veritatis ullo modo, et de mendacio ineruditionis tuæ confundere.	30 Be not a lion at home, nor sly and suspicious at work.
31 Non confundaris confiteri peccata tua, et ne subjicias te omni homini pro peccato.	31 Let not your hand be open to receive and clenched when it is time to give.
32 Noli resistere contra faciem potentis, nec coneris contra ictum fluvii.
33 Pro justitia agonizare pro anima tua, et usque ad mortem certa pro justitia : et Deus expugnabit pro te inimicos tuos.
34 Noli citatus esse in lingua tua, et inutilis, et remissus in operibus tuis.
35 Noli esse sicut leo in domo tua, evertens domesticos tuos, et opprimens subjectos tibi.
36 Non sit porrecta manus tua ad accipiendum, et ad dandum collecta.